WCSU Professor of Biology Dr. Thomas Philbrick understands very
well why the students who join him on research field trips gain
fresh perspective and passion for scientific work– because he has walked that path himself.

“When I was an undergraduate at the University
of New Hampshire, two faculty members there changed my life,”
Philbrick recalled. “They introduced me to the excitement of biology
and science. It was their interaction with me and their trust in me
– a small-town boy with curiosity but little if any academic
discipline – that changed my perspective on life and served as the
catalyst for me to pursue a career in science.

“I do my best to offer similar opportunities
for students who want this here at Western,” he said. “I strongly
feel that the most important learning opportunities that faculty
members provide for students are those that happen outside formal
coursework. Biology is a subject best learned outside the
classroom.”

In fulfillment of that mission, Philbrick has
taken Western students along as research assistants in his field
work to study and collect specimens of botanical species found in
river environments in several Latin American countries, including
Mexico, Costa Rica, Brazil and Venezuela. “I thoroughly enjoy
providing research experiences for students who show curiosity,
passion and drive,” he said. “It is a life-changing experience to
interact during our trips with colleagues from these countries.”

Tom Edson, a former WCSU biology student who
accompanied Philbrick on trips to Costa Rica and Venezuela, became
involved in his professor’s research study of the tropical plant
family Podostemaceae, gaining an understanding of the species
through extensive lab work at WCSU in preparation for field work
abroad. His analysis of data collected from the Costa Rica trip
provided the foundation for his senior research project, which he
presented at an international conference of the American Society of
Plant Taxonomists. Edson also collaborated with Philbrick and a
Brazilian colleague as coauthor of a scientific paper based on their
research.

“For me, learning hands-on and being taught
through direct demonstration in the field are what biology and the
sciences in general are all about,” said Edson. “Tom showed an
enthusiasm not only for biology, but for connecting with students
and sharing what he knew. Above all else, what I have taken away
from working with him is the importance of being part of the cycle
that passes along the knowledge and zeal for what we do. It opened
my eyes to greater possibilities than I had previously envisioned
for myself, and has helped me to obtain employment as a biologist.

“My experiences in field work and research have
instilled a confidence and feeling of accomplishment that I will
carry with me for the rest of my life, and an eagerness to interact
and collaborate with people from different cultures,” he added. “I
can only hope that these opportunities will continue to grow and be
provided to as many Western students as possible.”

Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Theodora
Pinou also has invited several of her students to join her as
assistants in research on turtle species found on the Pacific
coastline of Mexico. Pinou observed that in selecting students to
participate in her research work in the field, she seeks out
individuals who approach the task with a willingness and motivation
to learn and who are reliable, trustworthy and technically rigorous
in their scientific work. Often the students best suited to be
research assistants may not achieve the highest classroom grades,
but are open to accepting their initial assumptions may be wrong and
seizing the opportunity to learn from the field experience, she
said.

“The student shadows and works with the faculty
member on a project that has serious personal meaning to that
professor; the data you collect in the field must answer to high
professional standards,” Pinou said. “Research experience like this
is invaluable because the student has a unique opportunity to watch
you think, and work together with you to get the job accomplished.
That kind of learning experience is very different from taking a
course with that faculty member.”

Pinou observed that support from private donors
can make the difference in enabling faculty members to hire students
as research assistants, especially in field work that requires
travel and extended stays abroad. She noted that donor support for
student assistants can be leveraged by faculty members to obtain
research grant funding for their field work. The outcome holds
benefits for both instruction and research at Western, she added:
“The donor not only is promoting the student’s development and
creation of knowledge, but also is supporting the scholarly work of
the faculty member.”

Above photo:
Stephanie Tucci '08 (right) on a research project in Tocantins,
Brazil.